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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Summer Caladiums

With the extreme heat and plentiful rainfall lately, the caladiums along the front of the house have been thriving.

One of my favorite varieties to use is White Queen.

White Queen has striking white leaves with bleeding reddish-pink veins that make this variety distinct. Plant in shade to partial shade. The variety is sun tolerant but favors shade to morning sun. White Queen is a hybrid developed by one of the pioneers of caladium breeding, F. M. Joyner - a postman in Tampa, FL. He developed several breeds of caladiums in the 1930's.

White Queen

Favors shade to partial shade

Striking white leaves with bleeding reddish pink veins

Can grow to 18" to 24" tall

Fancy white caladium variety

Bulbs should be planted in the spring after the last frost. The USDA temperature zone chart provides guidelines, however temperatures can vary in specific locales therefore nothing substitutes for local knowledge for exact planting dates.

Earliest Planting Dates

Zones 10 April 1

Zones 8-9 May 1

Zones 6-7 June 1

Zones 3-5 July 1

Early Planting Dates Guidelines: Plant after last frost Soil temperatures should be above 65°F Bulbs can be sprouted inside your house and transplanted outside for quicker start.

Latest Planting Dates

Zone 9-10 September 1

Zones 7-8 August 15

Zones 5-6 August 1

Zones 3-4 July 15

Late Planting Date GuidelinesLate season bulbs usually sprout fast; ± 3 weeks Late plantings should be done no later than 7 weeks before first frost.

Caladium bulbs like warm moist (not soggy) soil. To get a jump start in northern climes, put your bulbs knobby side up about 1½" to 2" deep in a shallow pan, bag or flat full of potting mix. Keep the mix warm (70's is nice) and you will find the bulbs shooting up and ready to transplant in the ground.

You know I love Caladiums and your White Queen ones are gorgeous. Love the photo with the water feature and egret/heron.I bought a pot earlier this summer and I should have divided them but didn't know if it would damage the bulbs. Do you think I could divide them..gently, and plant them in the ground til fall or another pot? Thanks for all the info on planting dates.